A/N: Happy (belated) birthday to one of my best friends in the whole world, TheSirSystemError! Thanks so much for your friendship and support! It really means a lot to me, and I'm sorry I forgot about your birthday! Here's a late, short and sweet birthday present I threw together for you. Yes, more Ash/Serena, because I like it.


Most people who knew Ash Ketchum would claim he was a reckless idiot.

But his kindness, the warmth of his hands, and his boundless courage drew me to him. I was just a weak, helpless girl, lost in the woods with a scraped knee. He was different from my shy, timid self.

I found myself wanting what he had. The courage to face the world without fear.

I wished I could have talked to him some more, but my family and I moved away before I could get his contact information. We were kids. What kids ever thought much about phone numbers and email addresses anyway? But one day, years later, he came back into my life.

He was handsome.

Thick, raven black hair, always mussed from being under his hat.

Big, bright, brown eyes that always sparkled with enthusiasm.

Boundless energy.

Pep in his step, ready for anything.

A cute Pikachu on his shoulder. His dearest friend, I figured out.

The memories of him that I thought were fading had rushed back into me like a flood.

He was still everything I wished to be. Strong, brave, unafraid of the unknown.

I was, and still am, kind of a typical girl. Loving pretty clothes, shopping, and caring about my appearance. Wavy, honey blonde hair, sky blue eyes, having no interest in battles or rough housing. I often wondered if I embarrassed him sometimes. Ash Ketchum, this great, strong Pokemon trainer, hanging out with a girly girl like me? He deserves someone better, I told myself sometimes. But like typical Ash, he always flashed his dorky smile at me.

"You're one of my best friends, Serena. You're amazing."

Amazing. The one word I thought could never describe me. Ever. And he said it with such candor that I was quick to believe it.

I longed to be someone worthy of him, but he already considered me so.

Ash Ketchum...you brighten up my life. More than you could ever imagine. I don't know where I'd be without you...and I hope to be someone you can love and cherish forever.

He may be reckless and thoughtless sometimes, but I like him, flaws and all.

Nothing can ever change how I feel about him.